Karzai accepts Gates' apology over deaths of Afghan children in NATO air strike
Afghanistan News.Net
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accepted an apology of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates for the deaths of nine children in a NATO air strike, a day after he had rejected the regrets of the top US commander in Afghanistan over the same issue.
http://www.afghanistannews.net/story/752893/ht/Karzai-accepts-Gates-apology-over-deaths-of-Afghan-children-in-NATO-air-strikeEven though Karzai apparently accepted Gates' apology today, there is this to think about:
Blackwater set to remain in Afghanistan despite reshuffling private security contractors
Blackwater is set to remain in Afghanistan after President Hamid Karzai has been forced by the Western partners to give up his plans of shunting private security companies out of his country...
...As part of a complex new transition strategy, the government has reportedly given them time up to March 21, 2012 before the Afghan Public Protection Force takes control over security for development projects.
Western and Afghan officials have said that the draft plans drawn up by former Karzai opponent Ashraf Ghani would allow companies to keep supplying private guards and security services to development projects indefinitely, the paper said...
...A senior western diplomat has said that Karzai has been forced by Americans to take the step as he has no other choice, adding that "if he thought in terms longer than just the next 24 hours he would not have got himself into this mess." According to reports, David Petraeus, the top US commander in Afghanistan, has helped to put pressure on Karzai, though the President is unhappy with parts of the new plan. (ANI)
http://www.afghanistannews.net/story/753020/ht/Blackwater-set-to-remain-in-Afghanistan-despite-reshuffling-private-security-contractorsThose mercs aren't necessarily there to guard your back, Hamid. And I thought I would remind you of what has happened to other US puppets once they rebel or are no longer useful to strategy.
Just sayin' Hamid.